Real Madrid set to replace Zinedine Zidane with Carlo Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti set for shock Real Madrid return

Everton's Italian head coach Carlo Ancelotti waves after the English Premier League football match between Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on May 19, 2021. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Jan Kruger / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by JAN KRUGER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Former Inter Milan manager Antonio Conte, club legend Raul and Massimiliano Allegri were all linked to the Real Madrid job following the departure of Zinedine Zidane.

However, the Spanish giants have turned to a familiar face as they are set to appoint Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti as their new manager.

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According to Goal, Ancelotti and Real Madrid are in advanced talks and an agreement is said to be close. The report also claims that the two sides first initiated contacts five days ago.

If and when the appointment is made official, it would mark Ancelotti’s second stint as Madrid manager. His first stint lasted from 2013 to 2015 where he led the Spanish giants to their tenth Champions League final when they beat Atletico Madrid in the 2013-14 edition.

He was let go at the end of 2015 and was replaced by Zidane who was Ancelotti’s assistant manager.

Ancelotti accustomed to the pressures at Real Madrid

Ancelotti is well aware of the pressures that come when managing Real Madrid. His familiarity is one of the reasons Los Blancos are going back for him a second time.

However, the Italian has had mixed results since leaving the Santiago Bernabeu.

His first job after being let go by Florentino Perez was at Bayern Munich where he was replacing Pep Guardiola. It did not go as well as he would have hoped.

He signed a three-year deal with the German side but his stint didn’t last long. It was reported that he lost the locker room and the players felt that his training methods left a lot to be desired as it was a far stretch from what they were used to under Guardiola.

His stint at Everton has produced mixed results. Despite the club spending money, the Toffees remain stuck in midtable and struggled mightily at home this season.

Next. Zinedine Zidane explains Real Madrid departure. dark

How his methods translate a second time to Real Madrid will be interesting to see. Especially with an aging core but a core who was around during his first spell in charge.

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